Tru 3G using T-Mobile on 1900mHz in the USA

[rfranzq]

In case anyone is wondering, Spot Mobile and Piranha Mobile can and do operate on 3G on T-Mobile's refarmed 1900mHz band.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by Bossman

The phone being used is a basic pantech link. I'm sure it can be found on eBay.

Thanks for the advice. Picked up an unlocked Pantech P7040. It does exactly what you said which is what I wanted.

[rfranzq]

Other Tru 'news' I just discovered.

A long while ago, Tru announced that they were charging 1 minute rates on all calls. My US to US experience was that US outbound calls were charged a minimum of 30 seconds ==9cents. Received calls were always 1 minute =17cents. In the last month or so that has changed. Outbound calls are now also charged the one minute rate of 17cents.
[This is all US$ and for US to US calls.]

I had been making short outbound calls to keep my [8] SIMs alive. I will be sending SMSs now.

[Stu]

I generally find Tru to do a nice job from a technical point of view, but that their savings in their home country don't make up for the higher fees in other countries. For example, not giving US and Australian subscribers EU statutory rates when roaming in the EU. I understand that they may not legally have to, but right now it gives folks like Piranha a huge edge. Even their US rates (as a US subcriber) aren't that great. Their data rates aren't bad, but they seem to have pushed their rates as far as the market will tolerate. If you are a frequent traveller between two Truphone countries, their plan makes sense, but I am struggling to see whether I'd come out ahead this year and I will be in the UK for a week and Oz for two this year.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

Here is a website showing T-Mobile 1900mHz deployment in the USA. Use Zip Code 90240 to see my situation.
Sightings of T-Mobile 3G/4G/HSPA+ coverage on 1900MHz (PCS/UMTS band II) Sadly, I live in the hole in the middle of Los Angeles County.

The map still looks the same with the doughnut hole. However, at home I can search for networks and see T-Mobile 3G. Since the web site is a volunteer effort and since no one is reporting near me the map stays the same. Almost anywhere I go [not too many places] in Southern California shows T-Mobile 3G on my phone when I search networks.
Unfortunately, where I live is iffy for 3G. It will show on a phone and I pick up the phone and lose 3G. I can see it when I search networks but almost never get it when I choose 3G. In a much smaller doughnut hole now of my own making.

[inquisitor]

Why don't you report your sightings? That's why I made that map!

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

Why don't you report your sightings? That's why I made that map!

Well, thanks for the map. It is kind of embarrassing to get that question. Unfortunately, I don't have the freedom and time to do the exploration necessary. My limited knowledge in this area might also be a factor.

I am surprised that T-Mobile has not announced Los Angeles as a market yet. Does that mean more is coming.

Thanks again.

[inquisitor]

Didn't mean to offend you. Actually you would need an iPhone or an Android device to obtain the network information required for submission.
I've no idea what TMo's roll out schedule is and why they haven't announced availability of UMTS1900 for markets like LA where coverage seems to be quite widespread now.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by inquisitor

Didn't mean to offend you. Actually you would need an iPhone or an Android device to obtain the network information required for submission.

Definitely no offense taken. I don't do data and my phones tend to be less than $20 off of ebay. No iPhones or Androids yet!


Thanks again for all your posts here and also the 1900mHz mapping site.

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

Unfortunately, where I live is iffy for 3G. It will show on a phone and I pick up the phone and lose 3G. I can see it when I search networks but almost never get it when I choose 3G.

In the last couple of days. I have been getting 3G with T-Mobile and its MVNOs at home. [Piranha, Worldsim, Truphone, Spot, Ptel, Lycamobile]
About 70-80% of the time versus about 10-20% 3G is happening at my house.